Secretions from the ventral eversible gland of Spodoptera exigua caterpillars activate defenserelated genes and induce emission of volatile organic compounds in tomato, Solanum lycopersicum

Plant induced defense against herbivory are generally associated with metabolic costs that result in the allocation of photosynthates from growth and reproduction to the synthesis of defense compounds. Therefore, it is essential that plants are capable of sensing and differentiating mechanical injury from herbivore injury.